WILLEMSTAD - The national team of Curaçao won the second qualifying match for the World Cup in Qatar yesterday. The team led by national coach Guus Hiddink defeated Cuba 1-2.
Earlier, Curaçao also won the match against Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, with the score 5-0.
Curaçao played the match against Cuba in Guatemala City. In the eleventh minute, Leandro Bacuna scored the first goal. Sixteen minutes later, however, the Cubans tied the score with a goal from Onel Hernandez.
1-2
Just before the half-time signal sounded, Charlison Benschop put Curaçao ahead again by working in the 1-2. In the second half, both teams did not score.
National coach Guus Hiddink, who is working in the Caribbean for the first time, compared the challenge on the island with his position as national coach of Australia, which he brought to the World Cup in Germany in 2006. “That seemed almost impossible in the beginning, but it worked out,” said Hiddink.
“If asked, are we going to the World Cup? Then I say: "yes, we are going to the World Cup". What else can I say? We are going to do everything we can. The ambition is there and it would be fantastic if Curaçao makes it to the World Cup.”
Photo: National coach Guus Hiddink during training with the Curaçao football team.